Attorney General Report Reveals Violations by Bristol County Sheriff

A recent investigation by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office has found that Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson and his staff violated the civil rights of federal immigration detainees during a response to a disturbance on May 1, 2023. The report, released by Attorney General Maura Healey, concluded that excessive force was used, including the deployment of pepper spray, flash bang grenades, and canines.

The investigation was initiated following reports of a conflict among detainees at the Bristol County facility. The findings indicate that the sheriff’s office employed various means of force that seriously endangered the health and safety of detainees. Healey stated, “Our investigation revealed that the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office violated the rights of detainees by using excessive force and by seriously risking their health and safety.”

In light of these findings, the Attorney General recommended that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security terminate its contracts with the BCSO “as expeditiously as possible.” She also urged for the immediate transfer of current immigration detainees to other facilities to ensure their safety.

The report details a situation that escalated when detainees were informed they would need to leave their unit for COVID-19 testing. Many detainees, fearing exposure, refused to comply. The situation intensified when Sheriff Hodgson threatened to forcibly remove those who resisted. Witnesses, including detainees and BCSO staff, described the ensuing chaos as “scary,” with reports of pepper spray being used extensively, causing significant discomfort among detainees.

Legal advocates have expressed concern regarding the treatment of immigration detainees at the facility. The report highlighted that detainees, many of whom are awaiting immigration proceedings, were subjected to unsanitary conditions and were kept in isolation for an extended period post-incident. “Sheriff Hodgson has repeatedly been found, by both federal and state officials, to violate the rights of those in his care,” stated Lawyers for Civil Rights, calling for his resignation.

Following the incident, the BCSO dismissed the Attorney General’s findings as politically motivated, claiming the report is filled with “baseless allegations.” The sheriff’s office has indicated they are waiting for the results of an ongoing investigation by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General.

The report outlined that the BCSO’s response failed to de-escalate the situation, disregarding the medical conditions of certain detainees that could have heightened their risk during the use of force. The Attorney General’s investigation found that the BCSO’s actions constituted a violation of both the detainees’ civil rights and the office’s own policies regarding the use of force.

Moreover, Healey has called on the Massachusetts General Court to enact legislation preventing the BCSO from housing immigration detainees or participating in federal immigration enforcement. The urgent need for reform has been echoed by various human rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has been involved in ongoing litigation to access public records related to the incident.

Detainees reported feelings of fear for their lives during the chaos, with some expressing concerns about their health in phone calls to family members. One detainee, identified as G.L., reportedly lost consciousness and required medical attention, exemplifying the risks associated with the BCSO’s response.

The Attorney General’s report underscores a critical need for systemic changes within the BCSO to ensure the safety and rights of detainees are upheld. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how local and federal authorities will respond to these findings and what steps will be taken to reform practices within the Bristol County facility.